Interview with Shriya Kelderman | UOA Council Student Rep Candidate

University Council Student Rep Elections are on NOW! Vote here! Elections close at 12 pm on Tuesday, 14 October. Check out interviews with some of the other candidates on our website. More on the elections can be found here.

What are you studying at UOA? What’s been your most rewarding and most challenging paper, and what did you learn from each?

I am currently completing my conjoint in Law and Health Science. My most rewarding paper was also my most challenging paper - POPLHLTH 302: Health Services Placement. I conducted a literature review for Auckland City Mission focusing on reducing mortality rates within homelessness and how a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-focused approach would help address this crisis.

It taught me how academic research translates into practical solutions that serve vulnerable communities. It reinforced that meaningful change requires understanding both policy gaps and real-world implementation.

I had to communicate with many medical professionals within Auckland City Mission, including respectfully identifying their shortcomings (which is no easy thing to point out to an organisation working with vulnerable people) and exploring many international models to find opportunities. This experience directly prepared me for the Council representative role, where I'll need to challenge decisions while working constructively within governance structures.

Will you remain enrolled and available to serve the full two-year term?

Absolutely! I will still be completing my papers in two years! Students deserve consistency, not someone who'll disappear mid-term.

What should a University’s role be in providing for students' academic and cultural pursuits?

A university's role extends beyond academics to supporting students holistically. UOA should not be just a degree factory; it should provide quality teaching, diverse courses, accessible research opportunities, and support systems to help every student succeed regardless of their background.

Culturally, our University should also honour Te Tiriti principles in practice. This means supporting our Māori and Pacific students, recognising our multicultural and international student body, and creating spaces where everyone's cultural identity is valued. As someone of Fijian, Indian, and Dutch heritage, I've seen how crucial it is that universities actively support students who don't fit into just one box and have avenues for everyone to thrive.

Have you reviewed UOA’s 2026 CSSF budget? Are there any changes you would advocate for?

Yes, I've reviewed the CSSF information. 

To me, an annual increase of $38.30 means a few critical changes are needed.

Students should have access to detailed, visual reporting showing where the money is being spent. And I don't mean one report that many don't know about. Break it down by category, show usage statistics, satisfaction rates, and whether the allocation meets student needs. We should see clear evidence that it's working if we're funding it. Create an accessible dashboard that shows real-time data on service usage and outcomes, not just an annual report buried on the university website.

Financial support and advice are funded categories, but how many struggling students know what's available to them? It's a tough economic time, and some of us are choosing between rent and groceries. I would advocate for promoting emergency support, budgeting advice, and having some crossover between employment services and financial aid. I'd push for proactive outreach, especially at the start of each semester when financial pressure peaks.

If elected, how will you stay visible, accessible, and responsive?

Before council meetings, I'll gather input on agenda items, ensuring no decisions are made about students without students involved. I will connect more with student media, including Craccum and the media representatives. I'll have regular social media updates breaking down council decisions in plain language and clear communication lines. I will also be present at as many student events across different faculties and organisations to make sure I am always available. 

I am already connected to a few with my cultural background and through my degrees, so this isn't new territory for me. The difference is I will be accountable to ALL students and not just my own networks. 

How do you stay up-to-date with everything that’s going on at the University?

I hear about issues across many faculties and communities through my involvement in multiple student organisations (Women in Law, Women in Science, Health Networks, Law Association, Arts Association, Student Representative, etc.). As a current class representative, I'm already engaged with facility communication and student concerns. 

I also stay informed through student media like Craccum, university announcements, and, honestly, just talking to students daily. I have management experience in hospitality and retail, which has taught me to actively listen and pick up on what people need, even when they're not explicitly stating it. 

Which University Council committee would you most want to follow closely?

The Finance Committee, hands down. Students are paying increasing fees while facing financial hardship. The term "broke student" has never been more real than today, and we deserve someone asking the hard questions about where that money goes and how it affects us as a student body.

This is where the real accountability happens. Are we investing our money in services that actually help and are being used? Where are our shortfalls? Where are our financial opportunities? How do we balance financial sustainability with accessibility for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds?

I wouldn't just follow this committee closely, but I would also closely examine every single decision. For us. Sometimes, the most valuable committee member is the one who brings fresh eyes and relentless focus on the people those budgets are supposed to serve.

In 50 words or fewer, what makes you stand out?

I've advocated against multimillion-dollar companies before, and I'll do it again for YOU. 

My multicultural background (Fijian, Indian, Dutch), dual Law/Health Science degrees, and proven leadership across student communities/multiple jobs mean I understand policy AND real student struggles. I'll demand transparency and accountability, and I promise ALWAYS to put students first.